KARACHI, Oct 12: Acting Secretary-General of the Pakistan People’s Party, Mian Raza Rabbani, has expressed fears about postponement of general elections in the country due to present international scenario.
“The support by the present government to the US for fight against international terrorism as well as inattentive attitude of present rulers towards the second phase of the roadmap plan for restoration of democracy, leads to a conclusion that the government was not serious in handing over power to elected representatives”, he said while talking to PPI in Karachi on Friday.
“The whole nation is awaiting implementation of second phase of roadmap plan for restoration of democracy announced by present government on Aug 14, but delay in delimitation of constituencies, slow pace of issuance of Computerized National Identity Cards, and completion of voter list, indicates that the government had put off its agenda”, he claimed.
He said if elections were delayed it would have serious consequences on the country.
Rabbani said that national consensus on major policy changes could only be achieved by mobilizing masses through political activities and democratic process, which is necessary for internal unity and security of the country.
Ejaz Shafee, Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Muslim League, maintained that people would not allow the present government to postpone elections in the country.
He stressed that only an elected parliament can take decisions on matters of vital national importance. He said prices of daily items are getting out of reach of people since Oct 12, 1999.
Deputy Convener of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Aftab Sheikh claimed that events unfolding after Sept 11 after terror attacks in the US suggest that the government may put off elections for an indefinite period.
Naib Amir of Jamaat-i-Islami Prof. Ghafoor Ahmed said events of last few weeks indicate that government wants to put the elections in the background.
The Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf secretary general, Meraj Mohammad Khan, felt that prevailing uncertainty in the region in the wake of US-led strikes on Afghanistan, indicates elections will not be held on schedule.
He called for holding elections according to timeframe. Even when Iran-Iraq war was continuing, the Iranian government held elections. President General Musharraf should keep this in mind and hold elections in the country, he contended.
He suggested that the government should invite political leaders and take an advantage of their experience for polls.
According to Amir Khan, General Secretary Muhajir Qaumi Movement, chances of holding elections in the country on schedule are bleak, if the present situation persists.—PPI
